Hello, I'm Michelle Danks - a wildlife conservation professional, strategic communicator, and nonprofit leader dedicated to protecting wildlife and inspiring people to care about the natural world.

For more than 15 years, my career has combined conservation, fundraising, communications, stakeholder engagement, events, and strategic leadership to help mission-driven organizations grow their impact. 

I began my conservation career in 2011 as Development and Marketing Director for a California-based nonprofit supporting gorilla conservation in Uganda and monarch butterfly conservation in Mexico.

In 2017, I relocated to Malawi to serve as International Communications Manager for Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, one of southern Africa's leading wildlife conservation organizations. There, I worked alongside veterinarians, wildlife rescue teams, educators, government officials, volunteers, donors, and international partners to support wildlife rescue and rehabilitation through strategic communications, fundraising, media relations, educational programming, donor engagement, and public outreach. 

Experiencing conservation on the front lines deepened my understanding of both the challenges and the extraordinary dedication of the people working to protect Africa's wildlife.

Following my time in Africa, I worked to complete my Master's in Wildlife Conservation & Management, and founded Emergency Wildlife Rescue, a U.S.-based nonprofit that built partnerships and raised awareness and financial support for frontline wildlife rescue organizations in Africa. 

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Media Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and a Master of Professional Science in Wildlife Conservation & Management from Unity Environmental University.

Today, I am seeking a new opportunity to combine my experience in conservation leadership, communications, fundraising, partnership development, visitor engagement, and organizational strategy to help conservation organizations expand their impact and inspire greater public support for wildlife. 

I reside in San Diego, CA with my rescue dog Jackson. When I'm not working, you can find me reading, practicing my photography, traveling or enjoying time at the beach. 

- Michelle